Our youngest age group will be attending regional training venues, the sessions will be mixed and open to anyone who has played basketball for a few years and want to improve and start on the national team pathway.
Let’s meet the coaches…
Beth Jones – South Wales
When selecting my choices for university, basketball was one of the main things I was considering. Cardiff Met had, and still does have an amazing set up. Through Cardiff Met I was able to get my coaching qualifications and be part of a team.
It all started with me working alongside Kojo Hazel with the U12s team. After 2 seasons assisting, I was given the opportunity to take on the team and become the Head Coach. To this day I am still the Head Coach of the U12s for Cardiff Met Archers. Over the years I have coached many of the different age groups in Archers, which have also ranged in ability.
My national team coaching started with the U14s girls, working alongside Jon Bunyan. That year we took our squad out to Malta. This brought back so many great memories of me attending and playing the FIBA European Championships while I was in the U16s and U18s. That opportunity with the U14s really made me want to go back to FIBA and provide the Welsh players with the same amazing experience I had.
I have now attending 2 FIBA competitions, U15s Girls Camp, U18s Women Assistant Coach and now the U12s South Head Coach.
I am really looking forward to meeting all the players and can’t wait to start training.
Vicky Gottwald – North Wales
I have been involved with Basketball Wales for as long as I can remember; first as a senior player and following that as a coach across a number of the junior girls’ programmes, including at U12s and U18s. I also coach the senior women’s programme at Bangor University.
A big part of my coaching philosophy revolves around helping females push the boundaries of what they are capable of achieving in life. Last year I completed my UKCC Level 4 Coaching Certificate, which is also a PGDip in Elite Coaching Practice.
My favourite part of this course was getting to share best practice across different sports. I am really excited to start work developing an U12 National Programme in the north and looking forward to getting started!
Lee Coulson – Mid Wales
More about Lee coming soon…